Acting on a complaint that he had distributed gift articles like cycles, sarees, dhotis and rice at Srirangam in Tiruchirapali, the EC had earlier served a notice to him seeking his explanation.

In his reply, Nehru had said that the programme scheduled on March one was postponed to March seven by the local DMK cadres and it was neither a government function nor was it assisted by the government.

Nehru had said that the financial assistance for the function was given by the economically strong people and well wishers of M K Stalin, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

The EC in its order issued yesterday said that admission of distribution of free gifts amounts to bribing of voters with a view to influencing exercise of electoral verdict in favour of DMK.

The Commission has, therefore, decided to censure Nehru for violation of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and law, it added.